Paula Reed Vs PETA

HARVEY NICHOLS has denied that Paula Reed's company departure was linked to reports by PETA that the former fashion director broke the store's policy anti-fur policy.

"There was neither a causal link nor indeed any connection between the change in the company's fur policy and the resignation of its fashion director, Paula Reed," said Harvey Nichols CEO Joseph Wan.

The animal rights organisation claimed that Wan had confirmed the reason for her departure in a meeting, stating that, "Reed was singlehandedly responsible for breaking Harvey Nichols' strict decade-long policy against selling fur."

Advertisement

"PETA hopes her resignation will pave the way for the reinstatement of the department store's previous, well-respected policy," a statement from PETA said. "PETA members and supporters sent more than 5,000 emails and thousands of Facebook messages and tweets in the past few days urging Reed to reconsider this disastrous decision, which supports an industry that condemns rabbits, foxes and other animals to a lifetime of suffering inside tiny, filthy cages."

PETA called for the store to "realign itself now with the ethical values of the British public". Reed started in her role as fashion director - a newly created position - in September last year.